Resources/Articles
Modern Day Idolatry
A fly landed on a strip of gooey, sweet-smelling flypaper. No other fly was in sight. The fly said, “My flypaper!” He dined sumptuously on the syrupy stuff. He decided to leave, but was unable to fly. The paper said, “My fly!” Whether it is possessions, friends, position, or rights, covetousness catches us and holds on without letting go.
Covetousness is an extension of the word “covet”, which is from a Latin word “cupere”. You might recognize the similarity to the word “cupid”, the winged baby - a symbol of erotic love (the Greek god EROS). Therefore, covet means the desire for someone inordinate. We often use this word for the unwanted desire for money, but it can mean illicit desire for what is not lawfully yours (i.e., thy neighbor’s house, Exodus 20:17)…
Covetousness is seldom repented of, but is a most often committed transgression. It is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). The reason for that is easy to see. Covetousness always places the object of one’s affection between himself and God. Covetousness always produces misery, misappropriates God’s blessings, and is a perversion of our spiritual nature.
Instead of looking at what you can do for yourself, look at who God is. God does not bring poverty to those who seek Him (Psalm 37:25; Matthew 6:33). He will not fail to provide us what we need. Most often, God provides us more than we deserve. Remove the film of self and see clearly who God is and what God does. It is more than essential. Let us humbly serve God with all we have. Let whatever you do be done for His glory, not yours...
